Captain Tom Reynolds and Capt Ed Sullivan (Rt) Chairman of the Massachusetts National WWII Memorial Committee after Reynolds received the Peace Medal. Photo provided by Capt. Ed Sullivan
The “Peace Medal” was created in honor of President John F. Kennedy’s negotiation for “Peace” with Russian Premier Khrushchev averting nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis by finding common ground over Khrushchev’s comment “it’s like we are all in Noah’s Ark” in this world, that led to a negotiated path to peace.
The goal of awarding the “Peace Medal” is to recognize the veterans who won the hard fought Peace abroad and who help in our communities to maintain that hard fought Peace on the Home front by promoting “Patriotism” and “Volunteerism” in our local communities.
The Massachusetts National WWII Memorial Committee continued a tradition by recognizing retired Capt. Tom Reynolds’ military service to our nation on the battlefield in Vietnam with the “Peace Medal.” Capt. Reynolds, a Lima resident, is a recipient of the Purple Heart and Silver Star while losing a toe in combat while answering the “call to duty.”
In addition, this recognizes citizen Tom Reynolds’ contributions in the local Livingston County community with his volunteerism with the Lima American Legion Post 282 and his active promotion at the Lima Post Office of the VFW “Buddy Poppy”. The VFW “Buddy Poppy” program gives assistance to Veterans rehabilitation programs.
The MA National WWII Memorial Committee’s “Peace Medal” was presented to U.S. Army veteran Reynolds in recognition of his service to our nation and volunteer service to the local community of Lima.
